The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-06-15
Letter from Syracuse, N. Y.

Mr.. Editor Allow me to divert your at
tention from the hills and valleys of YER
mont to some things that have been, and
are, going on in the 90 Central City" During
the past winter and spring Syracuse has re-
ceived pretty thorough religious and tenn
perance agitation. Beginning with January
23d five of our principal churches united,
under the leadership of an evangelist (Rev.
f.. e. Davidson of Massachusetts, in con-
tinuous revival services for seven weeks.
The meetings were held at least a week in
each of the five churches. During the en-
tire seven weeks the churches were crowded,
and at the next communion several of the
churches gathered in from forty to seventy
members. Mr.. Davidson's work was pro-
ductive of much good, and our people
showed their appreciation by donating him
purse of over 81 200. Shortly after these
meetings closed series of gospel temper
ance meetings, lasting eight weeks, were
begun, and were conducted by p. A.
Burdick, Esq. These meetings were held
and largely attended every night in the
week in a rink which often held more than
two thousand people. These meetings have
just been brought to a close MAY 29), and
it is claimed that more than six thousand
signed the pledge.
Syracuse, for its position, is probably the
&C city of conventions" May 26 and q was
held here the New York State Intercollegi-
ate Prohibition Convention. Ex-Governor
st. John, Rev. DR.. William n. Boole of New
York and others made stirring addresses.
On May 25th the New York State Inter-
collegiate Athletic Association held its
annual field-day here. The Cornell boys
showed the effects of good gymnasium
training by carrying off most of the prizes.
From June 9th to the 18th the State Sunday
school Convention, with probably one thou
sand delegates, will meet here.
Perhaps nothing is interesting the bust
ness community more at present than the
obtaining of water for the city. For years
a company of resident capitalists have fur
nished water to the city, but the city has
outgrown these facilities, and the source of
supply is unwhoesome and inadequate.
There are numerous bodies of water around
us, and the town is full of discussion and
petitions as to each feasible supply. Pro-
spective water companies continue to or
ganize and seek franchises from the COM
mon council. The question whether the
city shall bond itself and construct and own
its own waterworks, or let a private corpora
ton supply the water, is thoroughly agitated.
To get a plentiful, wholesome supply of
good soft water is not easy. Probably the
most feasible plan thus far developed is to
bring our water from Salmon river on the
north, distance of about forty miles, and at
probable cost of $3,0O0OOO and upwards.
just now Syracuse is making great effort
to secure the permanent location here of the
New York state fair. The business men are
trying to raise among themselves $4,000 to
buy desirable site of one hundred acres
for it about five miles from the center of the
city. The prospects are that the $4,000
will be raised and we shall get the fair.
The Rev. Edward n. Packard of Dorches-
ter Mass, has received a call to the
Plymouth church here, which it is probable
he will accept. CHARLES b. GOODRICH.